Nashwauk City published June 5, 2014

The Nashwauk City Council handled a number of items at its regularly scheduled meeting last week.

Police Commissioner Ben DeNucci reported to the city council last week that Derek Peterlin has satisfactorily completed the prerequisite requirements and recommended that Officer Peterlin begin duty with the Nashwauk Police Department on May 29. The council approved the hire.

Ordinance No. 223-13, a non-exclusive franchise agreement with Lake Country Power, was approved by City Attorney John Dimich and the council and Mayor Bill Hendricks will sign it.

An estimate to replace/repair the steps on the west side of the Memorial Building was approved. The estimate was obtained by Mayor Hendricks from Ace Construction. At a cost of $21,500, the steps will be extensively repaired and replaced as necessary.

Lisa Engel and Nico Jeska were hired as summer recreation directors. There were three applicants for the two positions.

A building permit for new construction of a house and garage on Deering Avenue, first issued in August of 2010, was extended for one year.

A policy for work with the deaf and hard of hearing from the Nashwauk Police Department was approved.

Former teacher and current Nashwauk-Keewatin School Board Director, Mary Jane Damjanovich, spoke to the council about an Itasca Area Initiative for Student Success, a program supported by Blandin Foundation. From the perspective of a student’s relationship to his/her community, Director Damjanovich expressed a need for the Itasca Area Initiative to host several activities for NKHS students. Students, according to the Pathway Report, do not feel important to the community and the summer program of activities will work to change that attitude. A request was made for use of the Rec Building for the late afternoon/evening hours for three summer events, one per month. The events will be coordinated with Clerk Pam LaBine. The council was supportive of the effort. Cathe Bozich and several students accompanied Director Damjanovich.

The next regular council meeting will take place on June 10, 4:30 p.m.